The Reign of Bob is Over

I have a new People Manager. The reign of Bob is over. Not that he did much reigning anyway. He was usually too busy to have significant meetings with me. And I don't particularly like him, so I never went out of my way to make those meetings any more pleasant or frequent. It's somewhat unfair of me not to like Bob. He's a nice guy, and I don't have any serious professional complaints about him. Most of my complaints go away after an afternoon of grumbling and perhaps a beer. I just don't like him. Personally. So, I can't complain about him, or even request a new manager, because I don't have a particularly rational reason for him not to be my boss. I just don't like him.

My new People Manager, on the other hand, is Jason, someone I consider to be a good friend of mine at work. He is only a couple of years older than I am and was recently promoted to "consultant". We work together all the time, but we're usually goofing off. One of our current projects is to perfect the "walk and talk" a la Aaron Sorkin as we go down the hall to pick up our print jobs. (Yes, this is the pinnacle of excitement for an actuary.) We gossip about our coworkers, and often share information that few other people know. I was going to tell him that I am looking for another job, but now I don't know if I can do that. He's my manager now, and that has thrown our whole relationship out of whack.

I sort of mentioned this concern to him by asking him if we can still go to baseball games together. (Because I would certainly not have gone with Bob. Poor Bob used to offer to take me out for lunch for my "review" and I would suggest we stay in the office instead.) Jason had a good response, though. He said, "Of course, we can. But now we get to bill it to a code."

I am being selfish in my concern over the change in my relationship with a friend. This is a good opportunity for Jason, who needs the chance to try various roles in the office. This is also great for the junior associates, who now have a manager closer to their level and easier to approach. I should look forward to the changes.

I love my bank

Today they sent me a free coupon to reverse one overdraft charge that I may incure in the next year. Isn't that great? My last bank charged me $140 in overdraft charges before they let me know that my paycheck required a 5 day waiting period before it cleared. But my new bank sends me sweet coupons of love.

In addition, my bank is easily accessed in my grocery store on every day of the week and into the early evenings. The interest rates are quite high despite the smaller savings amounts of a twenty-something. And the staff is very friendly: even beginning to recognize me. Sometimes they are a little too friendly, such as the new bank teller, who this weekend asked me if my savings account is a money market because I "have a lot of money in there." I remained polite, but I wanted to correct her because: 1) It really isn't "a lot" of money. It's enough to get me by if my car dies or if I quit my job for a few months. 2) Don't say stuff like that outloud.

Also, a local bar recently charged $60 to my debit card even though I only spent $20. They have not yet responded to my voice messages or e-mail. It's the type of bar that is only open after 9 on weekends, so I haven't actually gone there in person. I lost my receipt, but I know my bill was $20, because that's the minimum charge and I only had one drink. (I thought I was mad about the $20, but the $60 made me angrier than when I see grocery stores using apostrophes in their produce signs. e.g. Apple's and Banana's) However, my bank told me not to worry. They suggested I approach the bar once more, and if the management doesn't check their records, we can just fill out an affidavit. Easy as pie.

Work update

Three of my coworkers (or their wives) are now expecting babies. That's 10% of my office will be having babies within the next nine months. And the woman next to me said something along the lines of "And I think there will be more." in a way that made me feel that she knows something I don't.

A few months ago my firm did away with in-house IT support. Brilliant! Now when we have a problem we simply call the "help desk," which is neither helpful nor a desk. It is group of very friendly Indians in Mumbai who are happy to use every courteous remark that has ever been coined in the English language. They are quick with my ticket number (in the case that I need to call back later) and the suggestion that I restart my computer.

Last week, two of the office computers broke. One due to a juice spill and the other just because laptops are finicky. We have an extra "loaner" computer, however, it took a day for the "Help Desk" to figure out how to get it working. Then it took another two days for another loaner to make its way to our office from Chicago. This is not because the loaner laptop walked to Milwaukee - it just took that long for the "Help Desk" to realize that they cannot fix the broken computers over the phone. One of the guys affected bills his time at $390 / hour. He spent four days trying to get a computer. Missing eight hours of work each day cost the firm $12,480. That's incredible. Maybe I don't understand the cost-effectiveness because I'm not a partner.

Today we had another mishap concerning our computers. The office network was "down" - probably due to not enough memory. I learned today that our main drive only has 19 gigabytes of memory. That's crazy. We decided, during the four hours it took the "Help Desk" to fix the problem, that we would all open gmail accounts and begin saving our work there.

2006 - Year in Review!

January
came in with bang and a Gentle Hand. BONYE was a hit and soon to be a tradition. Within the first hours of the New Year, Felecia rejected my (drunken) marriage proposal and I decided that 2006 would not be the year for love.
Got lost on my first trip to Milwaukee's NAACP. Asked for directions at the King library, but the only person who could help me was the other white person. What gives?
Visited KT in DC. Began thinking about moving and finding a new job.

February
was wicked cold and I spent a good deal of time inside. Saw Prairie Home Companion in Milwaukee and Wicked in Chicago. Managed to not sing along to either show.
No snow.

March
began with my first retreat at my new church. Afterwards I felt much more a part of the congregation.
With my new Milwaukee coterie, I saw quite a few concerts - David Gray, Aqualung, Nickel Creek, Ditty Bops, and the 5 Browns.
Played tennis for the first time this season. Made plans to play often.
Played tennis for the last time this season.

April
was very busy in the office. And I kicked up my studying campaign for the May exam.
Tap Danced my way through every Thursday night.
Golf lessons on Saturday mornings.
Not selected for jury duty.
Saw my most wide-spread, "acceptable" public drunkness ever, at Brewers Opening Day.

May
Exam! But very busy at work. Did not study nearly enough, and expected not to pass.
Went home for my great aunt and uncle's 60th wedding anniversary. Danced and drank with the family.
Visited Minneapolis with Christie and Jake. Considered moving there.

June
started with Riversplash, the official kick-off of the summer festival series of Milwaukee. This was my third attendance at Riversplash, but this time I had friends who went with me! Sang along with Milwaukee classics such as "Sex and Beer" and "Tonight (I'm Gonna Ruin my Life)."
Met the intern. Was the first person in my office to tell him, "Shut up" and "You don't know what you're talking about."
Bed bugs moved into our apartment. Jake moved out.
Still believed in the Brewers.

July
brought the end of the strawberry season. I made jam.
Rush tribute band!
Exam results came back positive. Yea! I'm a third level actuary and can now learn stronger spells to fight the orcs.
Beat all four sausages in the 5K Sausage Run.

August
J and Lindsay visit Milwaukee. Watch sows give birth at the State Fair. The piano-player hits on Christie at the dueling piano bar. She doesn't discourage him. We toast "to bad decisions".
New apartment. No bed bugs!
Attend a coworker's pool party. Leave before the naked chicken fights.

September
Visit Las Vegas and Los Angeles. See Tom and Ray and Cory. Miss my friends and wish that they still lived in the room next door.
Puked on a plane. Twice.

October
Study, Study, Study.
Weekly parties, but I behaved.
Organized my office to volunteer at a local soup kitchen. We served 300+ dinners. Learned good things about my coworkers.
Aunt Virginia died (not unexpectedly), but I was reminded of the worst part of living so far away from home.

November
hosted another actuarial exam. I smuggled my answers out of the room and when compared them to the posted solution, reasoned that I probably did not pass.
Julie still in town.
Aunt Sharon died. Her local newspaper allows people to leave messages under her obituary online. As a teacher (of Latin!) magistra, she had many messages from previous and current students. This made me reevaluate my current career path.
Dan Goldin Day brings about new traditions such as being turned away at the door of the brewery tour and making cool new friends. This year was Adrienne and Trevor.
Hosted a chili dinner for the young adults at the church. Realize that there are some other young adults at the church!

December
began with a big snowstorm. Company holiday party was a blast. Because I could walk to it, I definitely had the most to drink. Luckily I was also the photographer, so there aren't many pictures to commemorate my shenanigans.
Attended my first baby shower.
Visited PA for Chirstmas.
Prepared for PhilONYE.

I hear a symphony

Dreamgirls is not about the Supremes. It's a Supreme-like story, but it's not the Supremes. It's a good movie, but it's not what I expected.

I've been singing "I hear a Symphony" (albeit with the wrong words) in anticipation of the movie all day. And I was wrong.

Charlotte's Web is still about a pig, right?

A Secret about Santa Claus

I may be late discovering this, but this will be a new favorite Christmas song for me. I can't wait to go caroling next year.